Dispenser

ABSTRACT

The present dispenser tip attaches to a container and may include a separately formed base, first and second member, and cap. The base may be threadably attached to the container. The first member may include a flange, a basal portion and an extension. The flange may engage an inner surface of the base. The basal portion and the extension may engage to define a pathway for a flowable material being dispensed from the container. The second member may be disposed about the extension and may be connected to the cap by a hinge. The cap may include a stopper element and a rib or groove to seal the dispenser when the cap is in a closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/686,182, filed 15 Oct. 2003, which, in turn, claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/497,585, filed 25Aug. 2003, each hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dispensers and, in particular, this inventionrelates to devices which are attachable to containers for dispensing asubstantially flowable material urged from the containers, and which canbe resealed between uses.

2. Background

Containers for many flowable materials, such as glue and otheradhesives, must often be sealed between uses and must further aid indispensing the flowable materials onto surfaces in desired amounts. Tothis end, these containers often include a resealable dispenser which isthreadably attached to a container. To be resealed, these dispensersoften have a cap attached by a loop or similar structure to an elongateddispenser neck. Even when in a closed position, thereby sealing thecontainer, the cap can often be easily rotated, thereby compromising theseal. These rotatable caps are also less desirable to consumers becausethey are not uniformly oriented in display cases. Moreover, insituations where persons frequently use these containers, it is moreefficient time-wise when the same manual motions can be used to removeand replace the caps from the dispensers. Hence, rotatable caps may alsobe less desirable functionally because dispensers with differentorientations usually cannot be opened and closed with repeated similarmanual motions. These easily rotatable caps also usually lack any otherstructure further promoting an airtight seal. In certain situations,however, a rotatable dispenser cap may be desirable. Situations where arotatable cap is desirable is when the cap must be rotated to moreefficiently dispense the contents from the container or to moreefficiently close the container after use. However, if the cap isrotatable, the dispenser must nonetheless provide an air tight sealregardless of the rotational position of its components.

Present dispensers also often include structures within the dispensers,which open and close the pathway for delivering the flowable materials.While these dispensers have the advantage of usually not requiring aseparate cap, they are subject to clogging when materials left in thedispenser pathways are partially dried.

There is then a need for a dispenser with either a fixed, non-rotationalsealing cap, which is easily resealed between uses or a dispenser whichhas components which can be rotated, but nonetheless provide an airtight seal. There is a particular need for either of these types ofdispensers with a pathway from which obstructions can be easily cleared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention substantially fulfills the aforementioned needs byproviding a dispenser with either a fixed, non-rotational sealing cap ora cap which has components that can be rotated but which nonethelesswill provide an air tight or fluid tight seal. Both embodiments areeasily sealed between uses, and have a pathway from which obstructionsare readily and easily cleared. The instant invention provides adispenser and associated methods of use and manufacture for a flowableproduct or material urged from a container. The dispenser may bereversibly attachable to the container, e.g., by threads. In oneembodiment, the present dispenser includes a base, first and secondmembers, and a cap. The base may be attachable to the container. Thefirst member may be attachable to the base and may include a generallyfrustoconical extension with a tapered tip. The cap may have a loweredge radially extending from the extension. The first member may definea pathway for the flowable material when the flowable material is urgedfrom the container. The second member may be disposable about the firstmember extension. The cap may be hinged to the second member. The capmay include a mating structure to ensure that an airtight seal iseffected when the cap is in a closed position. One embodiment of thepresent dispenser includes one or more other mating structures, whichmaintain the instant cap in a defined, constant non-rotationalorientation. Another embodiment includes rotatable components that cannonetheless provide an air tight or fluid tight seal.

It is a feature of the present dispenser to define a pathway which iseasily accessed throughout.

It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that obstructions can beeasily and quickly cleared from the pathway.

It is a feature of a first embodiment of the present dispenser toinclude at least one mating structure.

It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that the present dispensersealing cap is uniformly oriented.

It is another advantage of the foregoing feature that containers withthe instant dispenser present a more desirable appearance in displays.

It is yet another advantage of the foregoing feature that containers aremore easily and efficiently opened and closed.

It is still another advantage of the foregoing feature that one aspectof the mating structure may enable an airtight seal between the cap andthe remainder of the dispenser.

It is a feature of a second embodiment of the present dispenser toinclude rotatable components.

It is an advantage of the foregoing feature that the components providean air tight seal or a fluid tight seal after being rotated to aconvenient rotational position.

It is another advantage of the foregoing feature that the components maybe rotated to a convenient rotational position for dispensing thematerial from the container.

It is yet another advantage of the foregoing feature that the componentsmay be rotated to a convenient rotational position for opening andclosing (sealing) the dispenser.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the description which follows, when considered inview of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an assembled first embodiment of the presentdispenser, the cap thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled dispenser of FIG. 1, thecap thereof in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present assembled dispenser of FIG. 1,the cap thereof in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first member of the dispenser of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the first member of Figure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a second member and attached cap of thedispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the second member and cap of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an assembled second embodiment of the presentdispenser, the cap thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled dispenser of FIG. 10, thecap thereof in an open position;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the assembled dispenser of FIG. 10, the capthereof in the open position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the base of the dispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a first member of the dispenser of FIG.10;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the first member of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second member and attached cap of thedispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the second member of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the second member of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 10, the capthereof in the open position; and

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 10, the capthereof in the closed position.

It is understood that the above-described figures are only illustrativeof the present invention and are not contemplated to limit the scopethereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Any references to such relative terms as inner and outer, upper andlower, or the like, are intended for convenience of description and arenot intended to limit the present invention or its components to any onepositional or spatial orientation. All dimensions of the components inthe attached figures may vary with a potential design and the intendeduse of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scopeof the invention.

Each of the features and methods disclosed herein may be utilizedseparately or in conjunction with other features and methods to provideimproved dispensers and methods for making and using the same. Arepresentative example of the present invention, which utilizes many ofthese features and methods, will now be described in detail withreference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intendedto teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicingpreferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limitthe scope of the invention. Therefore, combinations of features andmethods disclosed in the following detailed description may not benecessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and areinstead taught merely to particularly describe a representative andpreferred embodiment of the invention.

The present dispenser may reversibly attach to a container and may beadvantageously used to dispense a substantially flowable material, suchas glue or another adhesive, from the container. The dispenser mayinclude mating structures, which help maintain airtight seals necessaryto preserve the material being stored and dispensed. The matingstructures also insure that the caps functionally present on thedispenser will be uniformly oriented. Uniform orientation is desirableto consumers viewing displays of the containers and dispensers. Uniformorientation is also desirable to persons frequently opening and closingthe dispensers because similar motions and manipulations are required toopen and close the dispensers. Moreover, the instant dispenser providesa channel for the material which is easily cleaned, thereby curingclogging problems which would otherwise arise.

A first assembled embodiment of the present dispenser is depicted inFIGS. 1-3 generally at 100 and includes a base, such as a collar 102, afirst member, such as a cone 104, a second member, such as a cover 106,and a sealing member such as a cap 108. The instant dispenser, and manycomponents thereof, may be described by an axis 110. It can be seen inFIGS. 1-5 that the base 102, in turn, includes an upper member 112unitarily (or otherwise integrally) joined to a cylindrical element 114.The upper member 112 displays respective upper and lower surfaces 118and 120, defines a generally coaxial opening 122 and includes a matingstructure such as a plurality (e.g., a pair) of tabs 124, which aregenerally opposed in the embodiment shown. Externally, the upper member112 adjoins the cylindrical element 114 at a bevel 126.

The bevel 126 may be between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees or about 45degrees in some aspects of the invention. The cylindrical element 114displays an outer surface 128, an inner surface 130, and a lower rim132. A plurality of gripping surfaces, such as ribs 134, may extend fromthe outer surface 128 and a connecting structure, such as a plurality ofthreads 136, may be defined by the inner surface 120. A person ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other connectingstructures may be suitable for other embodiments. Moreover, it iscontemplated that, in some embodiments, the present invention may bepermanently attached to the container. In the embodiment shown, the ribs134 unitarily (or otherwise integrally) and orthogonally adjoin the rim132.

As best viewed in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, the first member 104 includes alower flange 146, respective first and second elements 148 and 150, andan upper extension 152. The lower flange 146 includes a matingstructure, such as a plurality (e.g., pair) of slots 154, and displaysrespective upper and outer surfaces 156 and 158 and an outer rim 160.Obviously, the tabs 124 and slots 154 could be interchanged.

The generally frustoconical first element 148 unitarily (or otherwiseintegrally) adjoins the lower flange 146, displaying an upper surface164, and outer surface 166, and an inner surface 168. The first elementouter surface 166 adjoins the lower flange upper surface 156 at a bevel170.

The second generally frustoconical element 150 is disposed coaxially tothe first element 148 and displays respective upper, lower, outer andinner surfaces 174, 175, 176, and 178. In the embodiment shown, thesecond element is stepped inwardly from the first element 148. A matingstructure, such as a plurality (e.g., pair) of slots 180, are defined toadjoin the upper surface 174 and the outer surface 176. The slots 180are expressed as tabs 182 extending from the inner surface 178 and thelower surface 175. The inner surfaces 168 and 178 of the first andsecond elements 148 and 150 and the lower surface 175 of the secondelement 150 define a cavity 184.

A third element, such as a generally frustoconical upper extension 152displays an outer surface 186 and an inner surface 188 and includes atip 190. The tip 190, in turn, displays an upper surface 192, whichadjoins a bevel 194, the bevel 194 terminating at a lower rim 196. Thelower rim 196 may extend generally radially from adjacent surfaces onthe upper extension 152. The inner surface 188 defines a generallycoaxial bore 198. The bore 198 adjoins the cavity 184 and opens to admita substantially liquid substance being forced from the cavity 184.

As best viewed in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-9, the second member (cover) 106includes respective first and second elements 200 and 202. The element200, in turn, displays an upper surface 203, an outer surface 204, aninner surface 206, and a lower rim 208. A mating structure, such as aplurality (e.g., pair) of tabs 210 depend from the lower surface 208 inthe embodiment depicted. Obviously the slots 180 and tabs 210 could beinterchanged. The element 202 displays an upper surface 214, whichextends radially from a rim 215. The element 202 further displays anexterior surface 216, defines another mating structure such as agenerally circumferential groove 218, and includes an inner surface 220.The inner surface 220 defines a bore 222, the bore 222 dimensioned toaccommodate the upper extension 152 therewithin.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 108 is attached to the second member106 by a flexible hinge 226 and includes a cap element 128, an extension130, and a stopper element 132. The hinge 226 may be formedsimultaneously with the second member 106 and cap 108, e.g., byinjection molding. Still another mating structure such as a generallycircumferential rim 234 is defined proximate a junction between aninterior surface 236 and a lower surface 238. The cap 108 is dimensionedso that the rib 234 is accommodated within the second member groove 218and the lower surface 238 contacts the second member upper surface 203when the cap 108 is in a closed position. Obviously, the rib 234 andgroove 218 could be easily interchanged. The stopper element 232 isdimensioned to be accommodated within the tip bore 198 when the cap 108is in a closed position as well.

Suitable materials for the first embodiment of the present dispenserinclude polyethylene, e.g., high density polyethylene, andpolypropylene. However, other suitable materials can be found in theHandbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, Third Edition, CharlesA. Harper, Editor-in-Chief, McGraw-Hill, New York (1996), the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Individualcomponents of the present dispenser may be formed by processes such asinjection molding utilizing the foregoing materials.

The first embodiment of present dispenser is assembled by extending thefirst member 104 through the base collar opening 122 until the flangeupper surface 156 contacts the base collar lower surface 120 and thetabs 124 are accommodated in the flange slots 154. The second member 106is forced into position, wherein the upper extension 152 is accommodatedwithin the bore 222 and the second member tabs 210 are accommodated inthe first member slots 180. The cap 108 is closed by being pressedagainst the second member 106 until the cap rib 234 is disposed withinthe second member circumferential groove 218 and until the cap stopperelement 232 is disposed within the upper extension bore 198, therebyeffecting a seal to prevent volatile ingredients within the flowablematerial from evaporating.

The instant mating structures help insure that assembled elements remainin a desired non-rotational orientation and that assembled elementsfurther maintain the vapor-tight seal necessary to preserve the flowablematerial being stored and dispensed from the container. The fixednon-rotational relation ensures that the dispenser caps when present oncontainers will be oriented in substantially identical positions. Thesubstantially identical positions are aesthetically desirable toconsumers in displays. These substantially identical positions are alsoadvantageous to persons frequently opening and closing containers whendispensing materials therefrom.

Functionally, the assembled present dispenser is attached to a containerby threading the base 102 onto a container until a snug, airtight sealis effected by in part by contact between the base lower surface 120 andthe first member flange 146 and between the first member flange 146 andthe container. The airtight seal is also effected when the cap 108 is ina closed position as described above. To dispense the material from thecontainer, the cap 108 is displaced from the closed position to an openposition. The cap 108 may be displaced from the closed position to theopen position by an upward force exerted on the extension 230, e.g., bya user's digit. The upward force displaces the stopper element 232 fromthe upper extension bore 198 and also displaces the cap rib 234 from thesecond member groove 218. The substantially flowable material may bethen forced from the container through the first member cavity 184 andthe upper extension bore 198 and dispensed on a surface at a desiredlocation. The flowable material is forced or urged from the container,for example, by squeezing the sides of the container or by using aplunger (if present). After use, the cap is replaced as described aboveto reseal the container and prevent the material within the containerfrom deterioration due to evaporation.

A second assembled embodiment of the present dispenser is depicted inFIGS. 10-12 generally at 300 and includes a base such as a collar 302, afirst member such as a cone 304, a second member such as a cover 306,and a sealing member such as a cap 308. The instant dispenser, and manycomponents thereof, may be described by an axis 310. It can be seen inFIGS. 10-14 that the base 302, in turn, includes an upper member 312unitarily (or otherwise integrally) joined to a cylindrical element 314.The upper member 312 displays respective upper and lower surfaces 318and 320 and defines a generally coaxial opening 322. In contrast to thefirst embodiment, a mating structure such as a plurality (e.g., a pair)of tabs 124, are not present. Externally, the upper member 312 adjoinsthe cylindrical element 314 at a bevel 326.

The bevel 326 may be between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees or about 45degrees in some aspects of the invention. The cylindrical element 314displays an outer surface 328, an inner surface 330, and a lower rim332. A plurality of gripping surfaces, such as ribs 334, may extend fromthe outer surface 328 and a connecting structure, such as a plurality ofthreads 336, may be defined by the inner surface 320. A person ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other connectingstructures may be suitable for other embodiments. Moreover, it iscontemplated that, in some embodiments, the present invention may bepermanently attached to the container.

As best viewed in FIGS. 10-12 and 15-16, the cone 304 includes a lowerflange 346, a basal portion such as respective first and second elements348 and 350, and an upper extension 352 and displays respective upperand lower surfaces 356 and 358 and an outer rim 360. In contrast to thefirst embodiment, the lower flange 346 does not include a matingstructure, such as the plurality (e.g., pair) of slots 154.

The generally frustoconical first element 348 defines a slot 362 andunitarily (or otherwise integrally) adjoins the lower flange 346,displaying an upper surface 364, and outer surface 366, and an innersurface 368.

The second generally frustoconical element 350 is disposed coaxially tothe first element 348 and displays respective upper, lower, outer andinner surfaces 374, 375, 376, and 378. In the embodiment shown, thesecond element is stepped inwardly from the first element 348. Incontrast to the first embodiment, a mating structure, such as theplurality (e.g., pair) of slots 180, are not defined. The inner surfaces368 and 378 of the first and second elements 348 and 350 and the lowersurface 375 of the second element 350 define a cavity 384. An uppercylindrical element 380 extends from the frustoconical element 350 anddisplays respective upper, lower, outer, and inner surfaces, 381, 382,383, and 384, the upper and outer surfaces 380 and 383 joined at a bevel385.

A third element, such as a generally frustoconical upper extension 352extends from the upper cylindrical element 381, displays an outersurface 386 and an inner surface 388, and includes a tip 390. The tip390, in turn, displays an upper surface 392, which adjoins a bevel 394,the bevel 394 terminating at a lower rim 396. The lower rim 396 mayextend generally radially from adjacent surfaces on the upper extension352. The inner surface 388 defines a generally coaxial bore 398. Thebore 398 adjoins the cavity 399 and opens to admit a substantiallyliquid substance being forced from the cavity 399.

As best viewed in FIGS. 11-12 and 17-19 the second member (cover) 306includes respective first and second elements 400 and 402. The element400, in turn, displays an upper surface 403, an outer surface 404, aninner surface 406, and a lower rim 408. In contrast to the firstembodiment, a mating structure, such as a plurality (e.g., pair) of tabs210, does not depend from the lower surface 408 in the embodimentdepicted. The element 402 displays an upper surface 414, which extendsradially from a rim 415. The element 402 further displays an exteriorsurface 416, defines a mating structure such as a generallycircumferential groove 418, and includes an inner surface 420. The innersurface 420 defines a bore 422, the bore 422 dimensioned to accommodatethe upper extension 352 therewithin.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 308 is attached to the second member306 by a flexible hinge 426 and includes a cap element 428, an extension430, and a stopper element 432. The hinge 426 may be formedsimultaneously with the second member 306 and cap 308, e.g., byinjection molding. Still another mating structure such as a generallycircumferential rib 434 is defined proximate a junction between aninterior surface 436 and a lower surface 438. The cap 308 is dimensionedso that the rib 434 is accommodated within the second member groove 418and the lower surface 438 contacts the second member upper surface 403when the cap 308 is in a closed position. Obviously, the rib 434 andgroove 418 could be interchanged. The stopper element 432 is dimensionedto be accommodated within the tip bore 398 when the cap 308 is in aclosed position as well.

Suitable materials for the second embodiment of the present dispenserinclude polyethylene, e.g., high density polyethylene, andpolypropylene. In one situation, the collar 302 is made from highdensity polyethylene and the cap 308 and cone 304 are made frompolypropylene. However, other suitable materials can be found in theHandbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, Third Edition, CharlesA. Harper, Editor-in-Chief, McGraw-Hill, New York (1996), previouslyincorporated by reference. Individual components of the presentdispenser may be formed by processes such as injection molding utilizingthe foregoing materials.

As best seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, the second embodiment of presentdispenser is assembled by extending the first member 304 through thebase collar opening 322 until the flange upper surface 356 contacts thebase collar lower surface 320 and until the collar upper member 312 isdisposed in the slot 362. The second member 306 is forced into position,wherein the upper extension 352 is accommodated within the bore 398. Thecap 308 is closed by being pressed against the second member 306 untilthe cap rib 434 is disposed within the second member circumferentialgroove 418 and until the cap stopper element 432 is disposed within theupper extension bore 398, thereby effecting a seal to prevent volatileingredients within the flowable material from evaporating. The cap 308may be removed from the second member by pressing against a lowersurface of the extension 430 in the direction indicated by the arrow450, e.g., with between 0.5 and 1.5, or 1 pound of force, such that thecap rib 434 is displaced from the second member circumferential groove418 in the direction of the arrow 452. With the cap 308 displaced fromthe sealing position into an open position, the material inside thecontainer can be dispensed as desired.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the components are frictionallymaintained in an assembled disposition by close tolerances. Also incontrast to the first embodiment, the components can be rotated when inplace, yet maintain a fluid tight seal. While a fixed relationship isdesirable in the first embodiment, an ability to freely rotate the cover306 is desirable in some situations where, e.g., users need to adjustthe rotational position of the cover 306 to more conveniently openand/or close the dispenser and dispense the contents. For certain uses,the first and second embodiments are dimensioned such that, whenassembled, between about 8-12, or about 10 pounds of force is requiredfor disassembly.

Functionally, the assembled present dispenser is attached to a containerby threading the base 302 onto a container until a snug, airtight sealis effected by in part by contact between the base lower surface 320 andthe container. The airtight seal is also effected when the cap 308 is ina closed position as described above. To dispense the material from thecontainer, the cap 308 is displaced from the closed position to an openposition. The cap 308 may be displaced from the closed position to theopen position by an upward force exerted on the extension 430, e.g., bya user's digit. The upward force displaces the stopper element 432 fromthe upper extension bore 398 and also displaces the cap rib 434 from thesecond member groove 418. The substantially flowable material may bethen forced from the container through the first member cavity 384 andthe upper extension bore 398 and dispensed on a surface at a desiredlocation. The flowable material is forced or urged from the container,for example, by squeezing the sides of the container or by using aplunger (if present). After use, the cap is replaced as described aboveto reseal the container and prevent the material within the containerfrom deterioration due to evaporation.

A person or ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that otherequivalents can be utilized in place of the mating structure embodimentsdisclosed and described herein. Therefore, the instant invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments of the mating structures disclosedand described.

Because numerous modifications of this invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not tobe limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, thescope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A device for dispensing a flowable material from a container, the device comprising: a base attachable to the container; a first member operably in contact with the base and including a generally frustoconical extension with a tapered tip, the tip having a lower rim radially extending from the extension, the first member defining a pathway for the flowable material when the flowable material is urged from the container; a second member disposable about the first member extension; and a cap hinged to the second member.
 2. The device of claim 1, in which the base is threadably attachable to the container.
 3. The device of claim 1, in which the base includes a plurality of gripping surfaces.
 4. The device of claim 1, in which the first member can be rotated within the base when said device is assembled.
 5. The device of claim 1, in which the second member can be rotated about the first member, when said device is assembled and attached to the container.
 6. The device of claim 1, the first member comprising a first member mating structure and the second member comprising a second member mating structure, the second member mating structure engaging the first member mating structure to maintain the first member and second member in a substantially fixed relation.
 7. The device of claim 1, the first member further comprising a basal portion and in which the first member frustoconical extension extends from the first member basal portion.
 8. The device of claim 7, the first member basal portion displaying a proximal end and a distal end, the flange disposed proximate the proximal end.
 9. The device of claim 1, in which the cap is sealingly disposable over the tapered tip.
 10. The device of claim 1, the cap including a plug sealingly accommodated in the pathway.
 11. A container in combination with the device of claim 1, the device of claim 1 attached to the container.
 12. A container in combination with the device of claim 11, in which the device of claim 1 is threadably attached to the container.
 13. A method of making a dispenser for a container, the method comprising: contacting an upper surface of a first member flange to a lower surface of a base, the base connectable to the container; fitting a second member about a generally frustoconical extension of the first member such that the second member and the first member are frictionally engaged and such that a tip of the frustoconical extension extends from the second member; and attaching a cap to the second member.
 14. The method of claim 13, in which the cap is attached to the second member by a hinge.
 15. A method of dispensing a material from a container through a dispenser, the dispenser including a base threaded to the container, a first member, a second member, and a cap, the first member sealingly in contact with the container and the base and including a generally frustoconical extension with a tapered tip, the tip with a lower rim extending radially beyond the remainder of the frustoconical extension, the first member defining a generally coaxial pathway for the flowable material, the second member disposable about the frustoconical extension and attached to the cap, the method including: displacing the cap from a closed position to an open position; and urging the material from the container, through the pathway, and onto a surface.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising returning the cap to the closed position. 